By RAY WILDE

Sports correspondent

LEWISTOWN –The Mifflin County boys cross country team just completed one of the most successful seasons in the history of long distance running in Mifflin County.

Other than the Chief Logan girls 2A state championship team of 1986, the boys team of 2025 was one of the best ever produced in Mifflin County.

In six invitationals, Big Valley, Spike Shoe in State College, PIAA Foundation in Hershey, Gettysburg, Mid-Penn Conference and District 6 3A, Mifflin County had a record of 140-5.

The only five losses were to North Penn in the Foundation meet and State College at Big Valley, Spiked Shoe, Mid-Penn and District 6.

At the Foundation Meet, it was divided into three sections and Mifflin County was second in the highest division (3A).

North Penn won the 3A state championship and State College was the runner-up. All year long State College was ranked No. 1 and North Penn was No. 2 in the 3A rankings.

According to MileSplit, Mifflin Country finished ninth in the final state rankings (3A). The top ten 3A teams in Pennsylvania were North Penn, State College, Council Rock North, Perkiomen Valley, LaSalle College High School, West Chester Henderson, Hemfield (Pittsburgh), North Allegheny, Mifflin County and Haverford.

Two Mifflin County runners got medals at the 3A run, Carter Smith was fourth and Reese Cubbison (senior) was 13th. Another runner, Hoyt Rodenbaugh (junior) was in the top 50 (41st).

Carter Smith has now finished his high school cross country career and in two years he beat 2,947 runners out of 2,951. This year he beat 1,520 runners out of 1,523.

His overall total since the beginning of cross country season in September 2024 (that includes indoor and outdoor track and field) is 3,543 (runners beaten) out of 3,547. The four men who have beaten Carter Smith have an accumulated time of 18 seconds.

Members of the varsity team included Koy Aurand, Max Zajac-Bargas, Reese Cubbison, Wyatt Kauffman, Hart Oden, Hoyt Rodenbaugh, Aidan Scavitti and Carter Smith. The team was coached by Alex Monroe, who was in his second year.

Team winners in the state cross country meet were: Girls, Class 1A, Shady Side Academy; Class 2A, Erie Cathedral Prep; 3A, Norwin; Boys, Class 1A, Elk Lake; 2A. Hughesville and 3A, North Penn.

NOTES — State College girls were third in the AAA race… Virginia Kraus of Saucon Valley (2A) was a four-time individual winner… Reedsville’s John Thompson saw his grandson, Reed Takacs of Central Cambria, finish 46th in the 2A meet. Takacs is a sophomore.